Memorial Day weekend 2015 has come and gone. This always makes me sad. While it marks the beginning of summer for most...for our family it means our annual Carry the Load walk.
This is our 4th year to pack our gear and head out to Reverchon Park with thousand of other to remember our fallen...that is why we have Memorial Day.
If you live in the metroplex unless you have been in a coma you know that we have been deluged with more than abundant torrential rain. A little is good...the lakes are now full and the 4 year draught is over. What we have seen has been unheard of. With 7 day a week rainfall for weeks before this planned event we prepared for the worst...and that is what we got.
MUD, MUD, and more MUD.
The mama Shubzda, who must have been a boy scout in a former life, packed the big blue plastic tarp and at least under our tent we were mud free.
The most important article of clothing....rubber boots!
Somehow it did not diminish the crowd or dampen the spirits of all who come out annually to walk. I am pretty sure that those we honor do not get to stay home in wartime if the weather is bad....and so we all show up.
Tim mustered his JCP team and they spent the weekend entertaining children with rafts and games.
We recruited family and they all showed up....with umbrellas and smiles.
Opening ceremonies began with those that had made the 200 mile trek from West point to Dallas. Yes, these men and women walked the route and arrived in Dallas to kick off the event at 4pm on Sunday.
What shear guts and determination it must take for these veterans to keep going when so many others would quit.
This year in addition to Matt I carried a college friend who died in Viet Nam. Lou Breuer was a super star. A graduate of Richardson High, he went on to play football at Texas Tech. Sadly on a mission in Anh Hoc his helicopter was shot down and he became a statistic. This weekend his story went along the trail with me. There a so many heroes who stories have been forgotten.
At exactly 4 pm the clouds broke and the sun shone through. It was as if God was waiting for the perfect moment to remind us that He is always in control.
When you actually see the number of casualties represented in flags it is overwhelming.
So many lives lost. So many families suffering. So many young men and women who will never know their full potential.
So much heartache.
And that is why we walk.
Our family was awesome.
No one complained about crawling out of bed on a holiday morning.
We are TEAM TOUGH.
As a family we have battled the death of a child, divorce, cancer, the death of spouses, and other countless burdens.....but we are strong.
I so appreciate the support.
My family means the world to me.
Team TOGETHER (Mandy's family) joined us for a final food and beverage moment before we took the final march down the hill.
TEAM TOUGH you amaze me.
Memorial Day weekend was incredible.
God is good.
The rain stopped for 24 hours so we could honor our fallen.
My grandchildren know what the day means.
I am a proud person.
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